Back with the Boom, Boom Pow!

Here we go! Promised to be a great update! I won't disappoint....I don't think!

Isn't that how the fireworks go? Boom, boom pow?!!!

So here is a little of our 4th of July blast!

So, sit down and grab your glass of wine or cup of coffee, if you're not the night owl I am! I'll fogive you this time....it has been WAAAAY too long!

We were blessed with sweet friends who came in from out of town.....from Atlanta! Meet John. Many of you know him by now, some of you know him but don't realize you know him.....he brought his three littles to play with B and to explore Birmingham! They had never been here and we knew they would LOVE it! They are 6, 4, and 2 and B loved them! Their 2 day visit turned into a 5 day visit and we had nothing but FUN!

We did all kinds of fun things, like eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel, at Mary Catherine's request (the oldest).....where we were asked 10,000 times, "are they alllll your kids?". If I had a $1 for every time someone asked us that this weekend, I could write a book!! Sheesh! Actually they are alll our kids....he has three and I have one. Even though we're NOT together, it seemed easier to answer that way than to stop to explain! So, there. The kids raided the candy section at CB and learned how to play a game of checkers on the front porch with the Champ! Fun times!

They got here Thurs night and we hung out then fixed the kiddos a pallet and everyone went to bed! We were tired and needed rest for the fun stuff over the weekend!

We spent Friday and Saturday morning being very very lazy...in fact, most of us were in our pjs in the street! The kids played at 7:00 am, yes I know.....eaaaaarrrrly, while we supervised! Coffee in tow! Mary Catherine is John's oldest and she is 6! She is a precious precious child and I had so much fun with her! B loves her!

And, then we headed to the pool. Every day! We spent LOTS of time at the pool! LOTS of time, I tell ya! And, some of you know John......aka "Big John" as Bowen knows him! But, this is Big John and Caroline, his middle sweetness, who is 4! She is a very sweet child who loves her Daddy! They even look a little bit alike, right?!

And she loves his shoulders for that matter......!!! The child is fearless! I think we counted that she jumped 1,456 times this weekend! I jumped too though, so I shouldn't put all the blame on her for his sore shoulders! It was fun and we laughed alot at each other!!

Oh, my sweet B who soaked up every minute of the first real day our friends were here! She bonded with Caroline from minute one and they were inseparable the entire trip! Bowen calls her "Carrowine"! Sweet friends.....those two littles! We swam and we swam each and every day they were here! Love our pool!

And she danced and modeled and moved her stuff every day we swam! Love this sweet B!

And these three were priceless! Christopher, John's youngest, is 2 and I must admit that we share a birthday.....that special kid! I knew I liked him! ;) He is attached to Daddy and does so well to adjust! I even stole kisses from him every day. I think he liked it! Sweet hearted child! He's the third!

And he's a toe head....can you tell?! They all have very blond hair but Christopher was blessed with a head of whiteness! John amazes me with all 3 and is super dad to the nth degree! Admire so much about his parenting and dedication to those three!

And, lets not forget about these two! B is getting so comfy in the water and loves her floaties! We had been at the pool for 5 hours this day and I think we were at hour 4.5 here! lol!

We headed home from the pool and decided to visit Pablos, a sweet spot in the "ham"! Pablos features a wonderful environment on their outside deck under the tree of life! Their is live music and the kids can run wild. Unleash all 4! Have fun!!! That's exactly what we did! Again, stopped over and over......"are they alllll your kids?". I mean, FTL...as Mary Catherine left my house saying! I know her mom will love that! I mean seriously though. Do you stop someone with 4 kids and really ask them if they're yours? I think the kids are cute.....4 of them=alot......John and I have our stuff together=no way are they all yours! Who knows....but, it was funny to hear everyone "talk" about us!

Sweet J and his sweet girls! See what I mean?!

And, I couldn't resist posting this one! Love this sweet man! He is my best friend and we have shared so much! I am thankful for him and his sweet 3! Did I mention that we've known each other for over 20 years?! Yep, it's true! Hard to believe, but true! In fact, we dated when we were like oh, 13.....was I really 13? I was! More on that later! Time I don't have tonight! ;) But, we share so much in common, so much we can both relate to and many of the same dreams in life. I think we'll always share a closeness and a friendship even we don't understand sometimes! Rock on, Mary Catherine, using my camera! You're becoming a real pro, girl!

MC danced the night away with B! They laughed and giggled and owned the stage!

All 3 were absolute angels! They had the best time! They took turns and played together on the dance floor and thought it was the best time ever!

They even cut up a little!

Doesn't get much cuter, does it?!

Until I got out there,and then it was serious business! Look at the faces of these girls! Loved every minute of this night!

I danced with them and we shagged.....yes, MC almost knew it by the end of the night! Watch out world....she's good....I've heard her Daddy thinks she got it from him......apparently he's a pro shagger himself! I'll have to research that one and get back to ya!!

We ate these yummy sandwiches and nasty chips that are NO good for you, ha....but what do you expect on 4th of July weekend?! That's what I thought! And, I did the grocery shopping because we were NOT cooking in my house this weekend! It was all about fun and junk food....not clean-up! Sweets, sweet treats and all kinds of sugary snacks! I did it to myself, I think! It was so much fun though....can you blame me?!

And after lunch, we did alot of this.....and if this isn't fun, I don't know what is! So stinkin' sweet!

And, then the big day was here! And, oh me! We had the best time ever on the 4rd of July!

Pizza, our own fireworks, party in the streets, trading of silly bands and B aka "Brave girl" jumping off our electrical box....more on that tale later!

I could eat them up! They were so sweet the entire visit! Couldn't believe it!

And, sweet Christopher.....he wasn't too such about the loud noises! But, he loves his Daddy and was safe right where he was!

Cotton candy was a staple all weekend and the kiddos shared so well! They are two bags of the fluffy stuff and smiled the entire time!

There is a Father/Daughter bond between these two that makes your heart smile!

And, the bond I have with this BIG kid makes me smile! I loved this weekend for the kids and am thankful for the tremendous friendship we share! We are kinda cute together...what do you think?! Well, he's cute with me anyways...:) After a day at the pool with NO shower and playing outside ALL day, I don't know how cute I look!

Did I fail to mention that MC plays Allstar Softball and is a PRO! You might see her at every Professional event as she grows up! She inherited her Father's talent when it came to baseball! A natural, for sure!

Nothing but the girls! These three kept us ultra busy all weekend and we wouldn't have traded it for the world! LOVE THEM! Look closely to the right in the background, that's the box B jumped off of......see it....more in a minute!!

John and the girls!

And I love this one......John and his two sweethearts! They love their Daddy but not as much as he loves them!

MC was so sweet to B and always helped her out. Unfortunately, B injured her foot Saturday night after trying to be "Brave Girl" and jumping with ALL her friends from our electrical box in the yard. MC felt she needed to carry B so B didn't have to hobble anymore! Love that kid! B has a sprained foot and hip and they might cast her on Wednesday, tomorrow, if she's still limping. They are concerned about some of the "chunky" bones that lead into the ankle. Small and round and hard to tell if they're actually cracked or stress fractured! Ugh!! At least she was in good company when it happened and he face when I returned from getting pizze was priceless.....she hobbled up to the car and said, "mom, I gotta tell you somepin.....(crying) I got a weal weal bad boo boo and I'm bave girl! I need to go to the doctor!". I did take her and we'll find out more tomorrow! Pray for NO cast although B's conviced that's what's gonna happen! Oh me!

On the 4th, we had ice cream parties and watched the kids make messes with their cones....especially this lovable boy!

What's not to love about OREO ice cream and sugar cones?! I mean, seriously!!! :)

After the ice cream social, we headed down to Homewood for the show to begin! Rides, carnival type stuff and beer for the Mom and the Dad! Oh, and I almost forgot, rigged nachos......what are those you might ask, well, imagine Doritos with pepperjack melted cheese and japs on the side....you got it!

60 tickets will buy you a night of peace and jumping and riding in case you were wondering! ha! Those kids ran and played and jumped and rode......and ate and.....well, you get it! Whew!

Oh, and John rode too! Doesn't he look thrilled?! Love this pic!

MC, I mean Bowen's second Mommy, made sure she was comfy and ready...held that hand TIGHT!

And thank God she did.....they were off and HIGH! B loved it though!

I taught MC how to operate my camera on Saturday, so by Sunday she was a natural! Don't you think? She's not in the pic, but her spot is! We were saving it for her! hehe!

And to say our 4th was full of sparks wouldn't be doing it justice! We loved every second of our time spent with our Best Friends and it was a perfect weekend! I hope they will be back soon to do it all over again! Whew, I admire you moms with 4 or more kiddos though.....especially if they're close in age! What an experience and what a blessing they ALL are!

Stay tuned for more fun.....Shake For Jake was AMAZING and I hope so much to post! Oh me, what a weekend that was! Many new friends to tell you about and fun stories too! Melanie was a perfect hostess and I always LOVE getting to see the babies while I'm camped out in her upstairs....all to myself! More SOON, friends! I love yall!